2012 Portimao World Supersport Race Result: The Fight For The Title

Kenan Sofuoglu only needed to finish fourth to earn his third World Supersport title. With a damn but drying track, one would expect him to ride conservatively and take no risks. Anyone that follows Supersport racing, knows that's not what was going to happen.

Jules Cluzel, the only rider who could challenge Sofuoglu for the title, got the hole shot, leading by the first turn. Broc Parkes squeezed past to take the lead as Sam Lowes also pushed past a swathe of green bikes as Cluzel lost places going wide. Parkes led Fabien Foret and Sam Lowes while Sofuoglu trailed in sixth place.

Sofuoglu, however, doesn't usually lead races early, preferring to build up through the pack. Today was no different as he passed Foret then Cluzel as Broc Parkes and Sam Lowes swapped the lead back and forth. By the fourth lap, Sofuoglu had the lead, passing both Lowes and Parkes into the first turn, one by speed, the other by brakes.

The front five riders would fight for lap after lap, with Sofuoglu making mistakes, letting Parkes and Cluzel past, then Cluzel going wide, slowing Parkes enough for Sofuoglu to get back to the front.

Some laps, Kenan Sofuoglu would look over his shoulder on the straight, looking to see how his title placement looked and at other times, he would forget about the championship and ride on the limit. With all five of the top riders making mistakes, it came down to Sofuoglu looking like he'd settled in fourth place, but Sofuoglu isn't a settler. Jules Cluzel would go on to win the race, but Kenan Sofuoglu rode harder than he sensibly should have as clouds menaced the track to take second place and his third title.

As Cluzel promised to win the title next year, Sofuoglu parked up by the Turkish flags and changed into golden boots and returned to Parc Fermé a World Champion.

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